Drought tracker · El Niño 2026

El Niño 2026: drought in Telangana

On 24 October 2026 the Government of Telangana declared 365 mandals in 31 districts drought-affected for the 2026 kharif season, after a weak, El Niño-hit southwest monsoon. This page tracks the declaration, the conditions behind it and official advice, with a source for every item.

• 365 mandals declared
• 111 severe
• 254 moderate
• 31 of 33 districts
• Valid for 6 months
• Updated 27 October 2026

The conditions behind the declaration

• Rainfall, 1 June to 30 September

  615.5 mm

  Normal 740.6 mm: -17% (1 June 2026 to 30 September 2026)

• Districts short of rain

  18 of 33

  Districts with a rainfall deficit this monsoon

• Kharif area sown

  126.06 lakh acres

  Down from 139.28 lakh acres (-9.5%)

• Paddy area

  57 lakh acres

  Down from 69.19 lakh acres (-18%)

• Live storage, major and medium reservoirs

  179.63 TMC

  Of 585 TMC capacity (about 31% full)

Figures as stated in G.O.Ms.No.03, Revenue (DM-II), 24 October 2026, paragraph 5 · The kharif-area change and the reservoir share are telangana.ai calculations from those figures.

Latest updates

Government orders, statements and weather outlooks, newest first. Statements are attributed to whoever made them.

1. 27 October 2026Statement

   All-party meeting called for 28 October

   Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka called an all-party meeting at the Secretariat on drinking water, alternative crops and electricity for irrigation, as reported by PTI.

   Siasat (PTI): Telangana all-party meet on Oct 28 to discuss El Niño crisis, 27 October 2026

2. 25 October 2026Relief

   Hyderabad water board declares a water emergency

   As reported: supply moves to once every three days in major parts of the city, a ₹1,000 fine for a first misuse of drinking water, and treated-wastewater ("green water") tankers from 1 November. Some city reservoirs were projected to run out of usable water between mid and late December. telangana.ai found no official notice.

   Siasat: Hyderabad water board declares emergency over acute shortage, 25 October 2026 · ThePrint: Hyderabad in the grips of severe drinking water crisis

3. 24 October 2026Order

   365 mandals declared drought-affected

   The order declares 365 mandals in 31 districts drought-affected for kharif 2026 (111 severe, 254 moderate), valid for six months. It orders input subsidy by direct benefit transfer within a month of receiving central disaster-relief (NDRF) funds, drinking water, fodder and cattle camps where needed, work under VB-G RAM G, and talks with banks to restructure farm loans without coercive recovery. A request for central help is to be prepared within seven days. Earlier official counts ranged from 235 to 358 mandals; the order's 365 is the legal notification.

   G.O.Ms.No.03, Revenue (DM-II), 24 October 2026 · Telangana Today: Telangana declares 365 mandals drought-affected for Vanakalam 2026

4. 23 October 2026Statement

   Cabinet sub-committee recommends the declaration

   At its first review, the sub-committee chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka set its priorities as "drinking water, irrigation, uninterrupted power supply, farmer support and rural employment", and recommended the drought declaration. The same day the Chief Secretary ordered a statewide El Niño awareness campaign.

   UNI: Telangana El Niño review, 23 October 2026 · Siasat: Telangana to launch grassroots awareness campaign on El Niño, 23 October 2026 · G.O.Ms.No.03, Revenue (DM-II), 24 October 2026

5. 22 October 2026Relief

   More thermal power ordered for rabi and summer

   Bhatti Vikramarka directed officials to raise daily thermal generation to 140 million units, from an average of about 91 million units.

   UNI: Telangana El Niño power review, 22 October 2026

6. 19 October 2026Order

   Cabinet sub-committee on El Niño formed

   G.O.Rt.No.1523 set up a six-member sub-committee chaired by Bhatti Vikramarka, with ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Tummala Nageswara Rao, Seethakka and Vakiti Srihari, to monitor the situation and direct departments.

   The South First: Telangana forms cabinet panel headed by Deputy CM Vikramarka, 19 October 2026

7. 17 October 2026Statement

   Reservoir water to be kept for drinking; opposition and farmers respond

   Panchayat Raj Minister Seethakka said that once irrigation needs are met by 1 November, reservoir water "must be reserved only for drinking water needs", with a summer action plan for every village. Farmers' groups criticised the appeal to skip a crop; BRS leader T. Harish Rao said "every promise made to the farmer remains unfulfilled", and BJP Kisan Morcha state president Kondapally Sridhar Reddy asked why the government did not "foresee this problem".

   Deccan Chronicle: Steps underway to ensure drinking water supply in rural areas: Seethakka, 17 October 2026 · ThePrint: Defer one crop cycle to save water, power: Telangana CM's El Niño SOS leaves farmers furious, 17 October 2026

8. 15 October 2026Statement

   Chief Minister asks farmers to defer one crop

   A. Revanth Reddy: "I request all my farmer brothers and sisters in Telangana to defer one crop this farming season", adding that "No reservoir has enough water to supply both drinking and farming needs." Affected labourers are to be supported through VB-G RAM G. The same day power demand reached an all-time high of 20,003 MW.

   The News Minute: Telangana CM Revanth urges farmers to defer one crop cycle due to El Niño, 16 October 2026 · UNI: Telangana power demand, 15 October 2026

9. 13 October 2026Relief

   Fodder to be grown on tank-bed lands

   A plan chaired by the Panchayat Raj Special Chief Secretary targets fodder within 45 days on five to ten acres of tank-bed (shikham) land at water bodies that still hold water.

   UNI: Telangana El Niño fodder cultivation, 13 October 2026

10. 8 October 2026Weather

    NOAA: strong El Niño likely into early 2027

    The US Climate Prediction Center kept its El Niño Advisory and said a strong-to-very strong El Niño is likely through January to March 2027, with a high chance of a record event.

    NOAA Climate Prediction Center: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion, 8 October 2026

11. 1 October 2026Statement

    State Cabinet to seek central help

    The Cabinet decided to seek central assistance for El Niño losses; officials told it the impact was severe in 235 mandals at that point.

    Telangana Today: Telangana to seek Centre's aid for El Niño-related losses, 1 October 2026

12. 30 September 2026Weather

    Monsoon ends 17% short in Telangana

    State data: 615.5 mm against a normal 740.6 mm from June to September, still inside IMD's "normal" band, with Jogulamba Gadwal (-41%), Narayanpet and Hanumakonda (-35%) worst hit. Nationally the season ended at 87% of the long-period average, and the south peninsula at 76%.

    Deccan Chronicle: SW monsoon comes to an end, 17% deficit, 30 September 2026 · IMD: Salient features of the 2026 southwest monsoon season

13. 18 September 2026Statement

    Assembly asks the Centre for help

    The Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on "the Rainfall Deficit Situation in the State due to El Nino", asking the Centre for a central team, disaster-relief funds, a ₹20,000 crore drought package, 1,500 MW of extra power, 50 more days of work under VB-G RAM G, and a higher borrowing limit (3% to 3.5% of GSDP) for 2026-27.

    G.O.Ms.No.03, Revenue (DM-II), 24 October 2026 · Telangana Today: Telangana Assembly seeks comprehensive Central assistance to tackle El Niño crisis, 18 September 2026

14. 17 July 2026Order

    Contingency plans ordered

    The Cabinet directed departments to prepare contingency plans for drinking water, irrigation and agriculture: "All available water in reservoirs and irrigation projects should be prioritised for drinking water needs."

    Deccan Chronicle: Telangana Cabinet to seek Central aid for El Niño drought, 17 July 2026

Government advisories

What the government and its agencies have told farmers and residents to do, as published.

• 27 October 2026

  IMD Agro-Met Centre, Hyderabad (Bulletin 86/2026)

  • Farmers planning rabi paddy are advised to go for alternative irrigated dry crops, given El Niño, low reservoirs and falling groundwater.
  • Under irrigation: greengram, blackgram, groundnut, sunflower, maize.
  • Sow groundnut (southern Telangana), safflower, Bengal gram, mustard and maize up to 15 November, with quality seed.
  • Livestock: keep several water points; vaccinate against FMD, HS, PPR and ET; deworm sheep.

  IMD State Agro-Met Centre Hyderabad: Agromet advisory bulletin No. 86/2026, 27 October 2026

• 24 October 2026

  Government of Telangana: relief in declared mandals

  • Input subsidy paid directly to farmers' accounts within a month of central disaster-relief funds arriving; beneficiary lists on the Collector and state websites.
  • Farm loans: Collectors to take up restructuring with banks, without coercive recovery.
  • Drinking water supply, fodder and cattle camps where needed, and work under VB-G RAM G.
  • Municipal areas are left out of the declaration, but treated the same for drinking water.

  G.O.Ms.No.03, Revenue (DM-II), 24 October 2026

• 15 October 2026

  Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy

  • Defer one crop this season: sowing in a water shortage risks heavy losses and the drinking water supply.
  • Use electricity and water judiciously.

  The News Minute: Telangana CM Revanth urges farmers to defer one crop cycle due to El Niño, 16 October 2026

• 22 October 2026

  Nizamabad District Collector

  • Instead of Yasangi paddy: maize, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and oil palm, depending on water availability.
  • Water should be reserved primarily for drinking.

  Deccan Chronicle: Farmers told to avoid paddy cultivation during Yasangi, 22 October 2026

• 23 October 2026

  Chief Secretary's El Niño awareness campaign

  • Use water and electricity sparingly.
  • Stay hydrated and avoid going out in the afternoon.
  • Take extra care of older people and children.

  Siasat: Telangana to launch grassroots awareness campaign on El Niño, 23 October 2026

Precautions and good practice

Drawn from official drought and agricultural guidance. Follow your local agriculture officer's advice for your crop and soil.

• For farmers

  • Prefer short-duration varieties and quality seed; follow the sowing windows in the agromet advisory.
  • Intercropping, mulching, weed control and intercultural operations help hold soil moisture.
  • Give protective irrigation at critical crop stages; use drip or sprinklers where possible.
  • Take crop insurance, whether or not you have a loan.

  NDMA: National Disaster Management Guidelines, Management of Drought (2010), copy hosted by Goa SDMA · PJTSAU KVK Palem: awareness programme on the contingency crop plan in view of El Niño

• For livestock keepers

  • Grow fodder on tank bunds and between crops; use fodder banks where they are set up.
  • Keep several water points for animals.
  • Keep vaccinations up to date (FMD, HS, PPR, ET) and deworm sheep.

  NDMA: National Disaster Management Guidelines, Management of Drought (2010), copy hosted by Goa SDMA · IMD State Agro-Met Centre Hyderabad: Agromet advisory bulletin No. 86/2026, 27 October 2026

• For households

  • Use water and electricity sparingly; drinking water comes first.
  • In Hyderabad, misuse of drinking water can now draw a fine, and treated-water tankers are offered for non-drinking use (as reported).
  • Rainwater harvesting and water conservation in villages are part of the official drought plan.

  Siasat: Telangana to launch grassroots awareness campaign on El Niño, 23 October 2026 · Siasat: Hyderabad water board declares emergency over acute shortage, 25 October 2026 · NDMA: National Disaster Management Guidelines, Management of Drought (2010), copy hosted by Goa SDMA

• Health and heat

  • Drink enough water through the day.
  • Avoid travel outdoors in the afternoon heat.
  • Look after older people and children, who are most at risk.

  Siasat: Telangana to launch grassroots awareness campaign on El Niño, 23 October 2026

By district

Declared mandals in each district, from Annexure-II of the order.

Every declared mandal

Names are as printed in the order. Row numbers are the order's serial numbers.